Meet the cast of World on Fire
Everything you need to know about the characters and cast of the BBC war drama's second season.
Four years since World on Fire first launched onto our screens, the globe-trotting war drama has finally returned for a second season.
The epic series revolves around the intertwined lives of a group of individuals caught up in the Second World War, following their journeys from England to Germany to France.
Season 2 widens its scope beyond Europe, taking viewers to the sands of the North African desert.
Fortunately, an epic cast has been assembled to tell the tale in season 2, with many familiar faces returning, including Jonah Hauer-King, Lesley Manville, Blake Harrison and more, as well as plenty of new characters.
A couple of characters won't be returning, however, with Sean Bean's Douglas and Arthur Darvill's Vernon absent from the second season following their deaths off-screen.
Helen Hunt will also not be returning for season 2 as Nancy, but who else will be returning for the show's second season, who's joining and who do they all play?
Read on for everything you need to know about the cast of World on Fire.
Who's in the cast of World on Fire season 2?
Here are the main cast members and characters in World on Fire season 2. Read on below for more info about who they are and where you've seen the actors before.
- Jonah Hauer-King as Harry Chase
- Lesley Manville as Robina Chase
- Blake Harrison as Stan Raddings
- Julia Brown as Lois Bennett
- Zofia Wichłacz as Kasia Tomaszeski
- Parker Sawyers as Albert Fallou
- Eugenie Derouand as Henriette Guilbert
- Mark Bonnar as Sir James Danemere
- Gregg Sulkin as David
- Ahad Raza Mir as Rajib
- Miriam Schiweck as Marga
- Cel Spellman as Joe Broughton
- Yrsa Daley-Ward as Connie Knight
- Eryk Biedunkiewicz as Jan Tomaszeski
- Ewan Mitchell as Tom Bennett
- Mateusz Wieclawek as Grzegorz
Lesley Manville plays Robina Chase
Who is Robina Chase? Robina is Harry’s mother, a woman who has a frosty relationship with her son and his wife Kasia.
Where have I seen Lesley Manville? Manville first became known for starring in Emmerdale (when it was called Emmerdale Farm), and is now a five-time BAFTA-nominee. She has starred in a string of films and TV shows, including Maleficent, Mr Turner, Phantom Thread, Mrs Harris Goes to Paris, Mum, Harlots, Save Me Too, Magpie Murders, Sherwood, Citadel and The Crown.
Blake Harrison plays Stan Raddings
Who is Stan Raddings? Stan is a sergeant in the British army and a good friend of Harry's.
Where have I seen Blake Harrison? Harrison is still best-known for his role as Neil in The Inbetweeners, but he has also since starred in A Very English Scandal, Trust Me, Dad’s Army, Death in Paradise, Kate & Koji, The Great, Doctor Who and I Hate Suzie Too.
Jonah Hauer-King plays Harry Chase
Who is Harry Chase? Harry is a young soldier and former translator who has a son with Lois but is married to Kasia. In season 2 he goes to North Africa to fight.
Where have I seen Jonah Hauer-King? Hauer-King is perhaps best-known for his recent role as Prince Eric in the live-action version of The Little Mermaid, while he has also appeared in series such as The Flatshare, Little Women and Howard's End.
Zofia Wichłacz plays Kasia Tomaszeski
Who is Kasia Tomaszeski? Kasia is Harry's Polish wife who is now living with him in England and has been reunited with her brother Jan.
Where have I seen Zofia Wichlacz? Wichlacz is known for her roles in Polish cinema and series, with her previous credits including Warsaw '44, mystery thriller Rojst and Netflix’s The Romanoffs.
Parker Sawyers plays Albert Fallou
Who is Albert Fallou? Albert is a French jazz-saxophonist who at the start of the season has been put in an internment camp outside Paris.
Where have I seen Parker Sawyers? Sawyers is best known for playing Barack Obama in biopic Southside with You, while he has also appeared in other series and films including Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre, P-Valley, The Nan Movie, A Discovery of Witches and Succession.
Julia Brown plays Lois Bennett
Who is Lois Bennett? Lois is the mother of Harry's child, whose fiancé was killed in the Battle of Britain and whose father Douglas was also recently killed. She and her friend Connie now work for the ambulance service in Manchester.
Where have I seen Julia Brown? Brown has previously been seen in series including The Last Kingdom, Foundation and Shetland.
Eugenie Derouand as Henriette Guilbert
Who is Henriette Guilbert? Henriette works at the American Hospital in Paris, and has forged papers as she is Jewish. At the beginning of season 2 she is still at the hospital and is helping prisoners of war to escape.
Where have I seen Eugenie Derouand? Derouand is known for her roles in French series and films including Paris Police 1905 and The Advent Calendar.
Mark Bonnar as Sir James Danemere
Who is Sir James Danemere? Sir James is an MI5 operative who arrives at the Chase family household and has a potential romance on the cards with Robina.
Where have I seen Mark Bonnar? Bonnar is known for his roles in series such as Casualty, Line of Duty, Shetland, Catastrophe, Humans, Apple Tree Yard, Porridge and Doctor Who, as well as his recent appearances in ITVX series Litvinenko and Prime Video's The Rig.
Gregg Sulkin as David
Who is David? David is a Jewish fighter pilot who’s brave but reckless.
Where have I seen Gregg Sulkin? Sulkin is best-known for his role in the Marvel series Runaways, while he has also appeared in Wizards of Waverley Place, Pretty Little Liars and Pretty Smart.
Ahad Raza Mir as Rajib
Who is Rajib? Rajib is an Indian officer in the British Army who is fearless, determined and does everything by the book.
Where have I seen Ahad Raza Mir? Mir is best-known for starring in Pakistani series and films, while he also recently appeared in Netflix's Resident Evil.
Miriam Schiweck as Marga
Who is Marga? Marga is a German teenager and a dedicated member of the Band of German Maidens.
Where have I seen Miriam Schiweck? Schiweck has appeared in the German series Der Staatsanwalt and the films Servus Papa - See You in Hell and Fellwechselzeit.
Cel Spellman plays Joe Broughton
Who is Joe Broughton? Joe is a soldier and a friend of Harry and Stan.
Where have I seen Cel Spellman? Spellman is perhaps best-known for playing Matthew Williams in ITV’s Cold Feet, while he has also starred in Waterloo Road, Cucumber, White Lines and Better.
Yrsa Daley-Ward as Connie Knight
Who is Connie Knight? Connie is Lois's friend who works with her in the Manchester ambulance service.
Where have I seen Yrsa Daley-Ward? Daley-Ward is a writer and actor who has appeared in films including The Perfect Find, White Colour Black and A Moving Image.
Eryk Biedunkiewicz as Jan Tomaszeski
Who is Jan Tomaszeski? Jan is Kasia's brother who has been living with Robina for some time.
Where have I seen Eryk Biedunkiewicz? World on Fire is Biedunkiewicz's only on screen credit so far.
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Ewan Mitchell plays Tom Bennett
Who is Tom Bennett? Tom is the trouble-making brother of Lois.
Where have I seen Ewan Mitchell? Mitchell is best-known for his roles in The Last Kingdom and House of the Dragon, while he has also appeared in Trigger Point, Grantchester and The Halcyon.
Mateusz Wieclawek as Grzegorz
Who is Grzegorz? Grzegorz is Kasia and Jan's brother.
Where have I seen Mateusz Wieclawek? Wieclawek is best known for his roles in Polish films and series including Konwój and The Trap.
World on Fire returns to BBC One and iPlayer on Sunday 16th July 2023. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on.
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Authors
James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
